A Horticulture Information article from the Wisconsin Master Gardener website, posted 14 Sept 2007

Allium senescens ssp. glaucum

In late summer to early fall the lilac-pink fl owers of Allium se- nescens spp. glaucum begin to open. This plant has many common names, including German garlic, corkscrew onion, cowlick onion, spiral onion, circle chives or curly chives. The species is native to a wide area from central Europe to North- ern Asia (Siberia, China and Korea) and is hardy in zones 3- 8. Glaucum, a name applied to an extremely variable group of garden hybrids with glaucous swirling foliage – and some- times referred to as A. glaucum, A. spirale or A. lusitanicum – is more ornamental and later blooming than the species, but plants offered under this name can vary widely in the color and degree of spiraling of the foliage. Some named se- lections include ‘Blue Twister’ (brighter blue-green foliage, 12 x 10” wide) and ‘Blue Eddy’ (especially dwarf habit and The lilac-pink fl owers of Allium sensecens fi ne blue-gray swirls of foliage, like small swirling eddies of spp. glaucum open late in the year. water, and pale pink fl owers).

This small ornamental onion grows in dense clumps about 10” high and 6-10” wide. Unlike other or- namental onions that are used primarily for their fl owers, this one is has very attractive foliage, too. Although the fl owers are beautiful, it is the unique foliage that provides long-lasting interest in the gar- den. The gray to blue-green leaves look great all season long. They are linear, fl at and twisted, giving a swirled or curly effect. This feature is most pronounced with the new growth early in the season. The clumps – composed of true bulbs on a rhizome – enlarge slowly and do not require frequent division.

The foliage of Allium sensecens spp. glaucum swirls or twists to varying degrees. In late fall the leaves turn yel- low.

The pink to lavender, cup-shaped fl owers open from nodding buds in 1-2” wide umbels on wiry stems held high above the foliage. The blooms are highly attractive to butterfl ies, bees and other insects. Deadhead the fl owers before they form seeds to prevent possible unwanted self-seeding.

Use A. senescens spp. glaucum as a specimen in a small garden, in masses at the front of the border, or as a neat edging on a small bed. This plant is also well suited to rock gardens, blooming when few The plants form nodding buds that eventually straighten up, open to produce a cluster of small pink to purple fl ow- ers that are attractive to insects. other rock garden plants do. Looking somewhat like a low, succulent grass, it is great for adding tex- ture in the perennial garden or mixed bed. Combine it with plants with rounded, lobed leaves, such as geranium, Heuchera or Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla) for a nice contrast in shapes. With its neat clumps it is also well-suited for a more formal garden, as an edging or for forming patterns with other plants.

A. senescens spp. glaucum does best in full sun; it will grow in light shade, but blooms will be sparse. It tolerates a wide range of soils, from fairly heavy clay to sandy loam. In nature this species is found in dry, rocky places, so once established it is fairly drought tolerant. It doesn’t have any serious insect or disease problems, and is not both- ered by deer. Propagate by division of the clumps in early spring or fall. Although it can be grown from seed, the resulting plants may not have the color or twisting pattern of the parent. Allium sensecens spp. glaucum – Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin - Madison makes a good edging plant.

Additional Information: Allium senescens subsp. glaucum – on the Missouri Botanic Garden’s Kemper Center for Home Gardening website at www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfi nder/Plant.asp?code=Y720